https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sun, 12 Apr 2026 13:54:39 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/neighborhood-park-play-structure-question#post-2828837 Sun, 17 Jun 2018 20:52:40 +0000 Hypatia 2828837@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>On a related note, the park I love going to the most has a toddler area, big kid area and swings...and it's fenced in with those child safe gates that only adults can open. I know fences aren't the prettiest and they can be costly, but it is so, so nice to not have to worry about kids running off when you're not looking.</p> <p>It also has a circular paved sidewalk that surrounds the play equipment, so parents can power walk or kids can ride their bikes or scooters. I might be over reaching your budget, though. ;) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/neighborhood-park-play-structure-question#post-2828808 Sun, 17 Jun 2018 16:33:32 +0000 cat620 2828808@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would love to have a play structure in my neighborhood and would happily contribute money toward it. Your neighborhood sounds a lot like mine as far as the type of homes and lot sizes. We have a neighborhood pool but no playground. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/neighborhood-park-play-structure-question#post-2828658 Fri, 15 Jun 2018 11:59:45 +0000 Ginabean3 2828658@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs D: hi! About 65% of the homes voted yes, 20% voted no, and the remainder did not respond or filled out their secret ballot incorrectly 🙄 I think overall people are ok paying the $300. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/neighborhood-park-play-structure-question#post-2828627 Fri, 15 Jun 2018 09:48:45 +0000 looch 2828627@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am generally grumpy when it comes to spending money, but for this, I would do it as I agree that having it would increase the value of the development overall.</p> <p>The only thing that I do see is that there is value in having things in my own backyard, we have both a play structure and a pool. I like that I don't have to drive anywhere and I can use the pool on a weeknight for a half hour if I want to without worrying about it being crowded. I do like having the play structure in the back yard because my son is able to go out without me there. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/neighborhood-park-play-structure-question#post-2828617 Fri, 15 Jun 2018 09:20:23 +0000 Mrs D 2828617@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Foodnerd81: completely agree. and less liability. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/neighborhood-park-play-structure-question#post-2828615 Fri, 15 Jun 2018 09:17:29 +0000 Foodnerd81 2828615@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs D: i would prefer one right in my neighborhood over one in my backyard, since then hopefully there would often be other kids there to play with too. Costs aside. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/neighborhood-park-play-structure-question#post-2828603 Fri, 15 Jun 2018 08:43:10 +0000 Mrs D 2828603@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Ginabean3: your neighborhood sounds a lot like mine. Was the $300 assessment generally well received? We're nervous anything over $100 is going to get serious push back...Congrats on your new "park" thats awesome!!!</p> <p>@Iced Tea: I think if an option like this fell in our laps we'd be open to it. But I am not sure the savings would be there. Given the size of our neighborhood (144 houses) and the use we are going to get out of this structure I am worried about anything less than "commercial" grade. Thats great it worked out for you guys!!!</p> <p>@yellowbeach: $500 seems to be where several families in our sub are comfortable to. I for one, would rather contribute $500 to an awesome structure than spend $1400 for one in my back yard (plus giving up the space in my yard). We're interested to see how the idea that some people are spending the minimum ($100 assessment for example) versus some contributing more goes over with the general public. I'm drafting a survey monkey survey to query the neighborhood members!</p> <p>General consensus seems to be that the "reserves" will be used for installation and possibly recycled rubber surface...though we still need to price that! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/neighborhood-park-play-structure-question#post-2828559 Thu, 14 Jun 2018 21:07:22 +0000 yellowbeach 2828559@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would be open to $500... I'd have to think harder about anything $501-$1000. Over that, I could buy my own backyard structure. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/neighborhood-park-play-structure-question#post-2828555 Thu, 14 Jun 2018 20:37:52 +0000 Iced Tea 2828555@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Would a less expensive option be feasible? Our neighborhood is about to move a play structure into our neighborhood from elsewhere. We just had to pay to move it and install it. It’s one of the really nice, premium backyard wooden fort types that someone wanted to get rid of before selling their house. We are just collecting donations since the cost is minimal. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/neighborhood-park-play-structure-question#post-2828541 Thu, 14 Jun 2018 17:57:27 +0000 Ginabean3 2828541@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We live in a very old HOA and we just voted on this for our neighborhood! There was this random patch of grass in the corner that had two benches and an ancient swing set and monkey bar apparatus (think from the 50s) and our HOA just voted to update everything and put in a new covered play structure! The Board recommended it for everyone even those without kids because it would really increase the desirability of the homes here. (We already live in a highly desirable area with excellent schools but most of the city is not "planned" and there are very few true "neighborhood" parks). The vote passed and they will be using HOA reserves as well as a one time assessment of $300/household to pay for the renovations. I'm so excited because it's literally down the street from my house. Whereas currently I need to load the kids into the car and drive about 5 minutes to get to the park that has a play structure. I also think it will be really good for the community. Lots of older folks are selling (and totally cashing out) and many young folks are moving in with their kids! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/neighborhood-park-play-structure-question#post-2828519 Thu, 14 Jun 2018 15:28:22 +0000 Mrs D 2828519@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Truth Bombs: I agree with you, I knew this was a biased forum for sure. I was caught off guard this morning when one of the two moms I was chatting with immediately indicated they would not be willing to participate in even a small-ish assessment. It surprised me as I assumed most young families, or young couples planning on children would be supportive. We will obviously be relying on donations/contributions to get to where we want - so I was hoping to find here if my friend was a true one off...or in the heavy minority...or if maybe my own biases had me blind to the truth that maybe the majority even of the smaller subset of young families in the neighborhood may not be willing to contribute.</p> <p>Thankfully it seems to have shown that at least most would be open to a smaller assessment, and perhaps some a larger contribution in addition. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/neighborhood-park-play-structure-question#post-2828517 Thu, 14 Jun 2018 15:06:08 +0000 snowjewelz 2828517@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Truth Bombs: I see! Yes I grew up in the NE and there would never be HOA unless it was a community (gated or not) that includes pool/club house and other services with HOA! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/neighborhood-park-play-structure-question#post-2828516 Thu, 14 Jun 2018 14:59:45 +0000 Truth Bombs 2828516@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@snowjewelz: I think this is regional thing. I grew up in Mass where you just lived on a street, not a true named neighborhood with an HoA. Now I live in Tenneesee and EVERYTHING is structured neighborhoods with HoAs. </p> <p>@Mrs D: I think this site is probably not a good gut check since this demographic is almost 100% mothers of small children who are likely to be very receptive to the idea of a playground. Your issue is going to be appealing to neighbors who do not have small kids and therefore will be paying an assessment towards an upgrade they will see no immediate benefit from. If they are smart, they will realize that improving the neighborhood amenities will improve their home value, but some people just don't think that way. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/neighborhood-park-play-structure-question#post-2828512 Thu, 14 Jun 2018 14:49:14 +0000 Foodnerd81 2828512@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs D: sounds well thought out! The only potential downside would be the increased maintenance costs with it but it sounds minimal. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/neighborhood-park-play-structure-question#post-2828501 Thu, 14 Jun 2018 14:01:40 +0000 Mrs D 2828501@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@snowjewelz: Most of our neighborhoods have minimal HOAs to cover landscaping of common areas, handle approvals of all exterior house changes, etc. The HOA fee is normally $300ish from what I've seen. Ours has been kept abnormally low. Our city does not have an responsibility for the neighborhood spaces within our sub.</p> <p>@Foodnerd81: Our HOA handles all of this for the park now anyways. They handle leaf removal, repairs of the benches/picnic tables, etc. The park is full of nooks and crannys - so if teenagers wanted to go fool around (in any capacity) the play structure does not necessarily enhance the opportunities to get away with it. The park has posted signs with "rules" - which obviously can be broken, and any issues with the park are dealt with by the neighborhood. In my best case scenario we'd have recycled rubber surface...so there'd be no hidden needles by the play structure. The rest of the park, yes its a risk for sure - but its a risk now when we head up there to just run off steam.</p> <p>The lots in my sub a on average .4-.6 acres...so no one is right on top of each other or the park. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/neighborhood-park-play-structure-question#post-2828490 Thu, 14 Jun 2018 13:16:08 +0000 Foodnerd81 2828490@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would be worried about the maintenance- who fixes issues when they arise (broken swing, loose boards, whatever)? Who cleans it of trash and leaves? Are their teenagers in the neighborhood who might go late at night and disturb the nearest neighbors? Drink there? </p> <p>Ultimately I would love to have a community playground right in my neighborhood, but those are the questions I would want answered before agreeing. I know at our neighborhood playground in the city we could just call the city hotline (or even better use an app) to report problems on the playground like a broken swing (or hey, used needles- it was an urban playground...). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/neighborhood-park-play-structure-question#post-2828488 Thu, 14 Jun 2018 13:05:20 +0000 snowjewelz 2828488@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It's interesting to me that a regular neighborhood has an HOA; I thought only groups of town houses or gated communities have that!</p> <p>We have a similar thing in our neighborhood but the park is maintained by the town. It has swings, a small play structure, a basketball court. If I could have a say in it I would definitely contribute something towards rejuvenating it since we go there almost daily when it's nice! It's the only park/playground walking distance from us. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/neighborhood-park-play-structure-question#post-2828474 Thu, 14 Jun 2018 12:16:56 +0000 Mrs D 2828474@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thank you all for the input.</p> <p>I think with $100 from each house, plus a small portion from reserves we could do at least the one structure. However, if some houses were willing to donate more or fundraise more we could easily get to the $40K we'd need for both age groups and swings. I personally envision a two tiered proposal 1) here is bare minimum with small assessment and 2) here is likely possibility with additional contributions/fundraising...additional contributions obviously being only if the larger plan comes in to play.</p> <p>Our city has a lot of great parks, but all 10 mins drive from our sub. As a parent with small children this is obviously more appealing to me - but I would think most everyone would view it as an investment.</p> <p>@psw27: We do have HOA fees, but very minimal. Currently $150 a year. Covers some minor (but nice) landscaping, maintenance of the park, insurance and the like. Its a very low HOA fee - so I feel that helps our cause. We have reserves, but not much - so I think they may be willing to cover something (maybe $5K) we have kept our dues low over the years which means we have not built a large reserves balance.</p> <p>@Mrsbells: Our HOA is pretty acceptable. I would say relatively low drama, probably because the dues are low and the amenities are also very low. Not much to argue about. They maintain the public space landcaping, spray the community for mosquitos each year and enforce the rules - thats about it.</p> <p>I think it would be nice to present several options. Heres the baseline, here the next best and heres if we're all fund raising rockstars....then put it back to a vote once we see where the funds are coming in. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/neighborhood-park-play-structure-question#post-2828457 Thu, 14 Jun 2018 11:06:30 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 2828457@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would be open to a one-time assessment up to $300. However I’d want the playground to work for both toddlers and older kids and have sub protection. The park we use now is about a 12 min car ride away and is really nice- separate playgrounds, sprayground, skate park, exercise part, dog park etc. We pass a much smaller park that’s 4 min away to get to that one because the playground apparatus is not suitable for toddlers. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/neighborhood-park-play-structure-question#post-2828449 Thu, 14 Jun 2018 10:56:36 +0000 Mrsbells 2828449@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs D: for me it would depend on how much I already pay in hoa fees. We have a hoa and no one is happy with what we get for our money so i doubt anyone would chip in any extra here.<br /> Our hoa is a bit deceptive. Its in anew construction community and they show off a lot of amenities that ultimately we dont have access to because our community is dual. One side has a gym and tennis courts and a lot more. And our side only has a pool and tiny play area<br /> But they let you believe that both sides are open to all </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/neighborhood-park-play-structure-question#post-2828446 Thu, 14 Jun 2018 10:53:23 +0000 avivoca 2828446@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would be ecstatic if someone built a playground in our neighborhood. There's a nice empty lot at the corner that would be perfect for it. However, the other neighborhood in the area is not as nice and I think it would be vandalized a lot. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/neighborhood-park-play-structure-question#post-2828437 Thu, 14 Jun 2018 10:41:09 +0000 JennyPenny 2828437@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would happily contribute that to have a play structure in my neighborhood. We don't have an HOA, but recently the neighbors did a fundraiser to raise money for nice neighborhood entry signs. I was impressed with how quickly they got the funds, especially since most of the neighborhood doesn't appear to be on Nextdoor which is where they discussed/posted about it. I think it's worth trying a fundraiser for interested parties if going through the HOA doesn't work out. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/neighborhood-park-play-structure-question#post-2828434 Thu, 14 Jun 2018 10:36:56 +0000 psw27 2828434@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would be excited if they were building a new play structure in my neighborhood. Do you already pay HOA? Are there reserves in place that could pay for the structure or you know for sure it would require an assessment? I would assume that "some" people would have a problem with an assessment if they didn't think they would use the structure. If that is the case, I would probably hold a fundraiser to help offset the cost of the structure and seek donations to help subsidize it. It depends on the language of your HOA documents though - if you have the right as an association to vote to use reserves to pay for it then you could just do that. Long story short - I'd be happy if they built a play ground. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/neighborhood-park-play-structure-question#post-2828428 Thu, 14 Jun 2018 10:28:13 +0000 Mrs D 2828428@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>So - to give background...we live in the suburbs of a large midwest city. Our neighborhood is going through a rejuvenation - we purchased in early 2014 and were the first home sold in like 2 years in the sub. Since then probably 15 houses have turned over - all empty nesters selling to young families. The neighborhood is catered to young families.</p> <p>In the middle of our sub, one street does a big circle, those homes all back up to a 10-20 acre park (I'm ball parking here). The park has nothing in it. Last year the HOA made the weird choice to plunk a cement pad in a corner and place a "pavilion" like structure over 2/3 of the cement pad. It was a weird choice, but their intentions were good - provide a structured seating/eating area to encourage families to get in to the park.</p> <p>At our association meeting this week we all brought up the idea of installing a play structure. The neighborhood initially had one, that was removed because it had not aged well (I suspect this was in the late 80s or early 90s). We're not talking anything grand - I mean I'd love to have a toddler structure and a 5-12 structure, but I'd settle for the bigger one along with some swings of course. My inquiry is this:</p> <p>1) Would you be offput by a one time assessment to install a professional play structure? Say in the $100-200 ball park.</p> <p>2) Would you be willing to contribute more than that in order to either have a nice play option walkable or perhaps to avoid having to do a structure in your own back yard? </p> <p>3) Would you oppose the structure entirely?</p> <p>Some neighborhood facts. We're talking about a well established neighbor in one of the best school districts. 2-3k sq foot homes which have been selling in the 400-500K price range. All homes that surround the park (in the area the structure would be installed) have some decent amount of foliage to protect their serene view. The park is virtually unknown to those outside the neighborhood - our location is rather tucked away and therefore not a high risk for many outsiders coming in. Our association already has a $1M insurance policy which would cover such a structure in the event of an accident. </p>